Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments

The English opening batter Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered those words in several conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his message to "drift around" within the playing group.

"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.

But, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging

Stokes issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The team subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches.

Prior to the Adelaide contest, he said his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.

Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in charge.

"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

The opener's dismissal on day four was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435.

Consequently, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead after three Tests.

A loss will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss.

This series will be completed in just 11 days of play – after England losing the initial matches in two and four days each.

The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disappointing," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.

"It's been difficult. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be tough coming here against them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term place in the side, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record versus the old enemy.

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.

Only one other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.

However, the opener said any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There's no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," he finished.